Art of rayon manufacture



June 24, 1941. w, H, FuRNEss v 2,247,123

ART 0F RAYON MANUFACTURE l Filed April 25, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet `5 INVENT OR.

Patented June 24, 1941 2,247,123 .ART F RAYON MANUFACTURE William l-I. Furness, Riverton, N. J., assignor to American Rayon Company, Inc., Riverton, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application April 25, 1939, Serial No. 269,882

14 Claims.

This invention relates to the art of rayon manufacture and is an improvement upon what is known as the cake process.

One of the primary objects of my invention is the provision of mechanism for manufacturing rayon by the cake process with effective recovery of the various chemicals employed to treat the thread.

Another object of my invention is the provision of mechanism for manufacturing rayon by the cake process whereby a plurality of cakes are laid up in a manner to enable effective individual chemical treatment of `the cakes.

A further object of my invention is to provide i a cake process which is continuous in the sense that cake after cake of thread is laid up on a cylinder in spaced relation along the length thereof whereby treating and washing liquids y may be effectively applied.

How the foregoing, together with such other objects and advantages as will hereinafter appear or are incident to my invention, are realized is .illustrated in preferred form in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is an elevational view of a device constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view with certain parts appearing in elevation, others in section, and with certain parts broken away, the left-hand portion of the view being taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 3;

Figure 3 is a cross-section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a cross-section taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an end elevational View of certain gear and cam parts looking toward the left in Figure 2, as indicated by the line 5 5;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 5; and

Figures '7 to 12 inclusive, more or less diagrammatically illustrate various positions the cage parts assume in one revolution of the cams.

Referring particularly to Figure 1, the device comprises in general a. cage A composed of a multiplicity of longitudinally extending bars arranged in a manner to be fully described hereinafter; a longitudinally extending rod or shaft B; a hollow rotatable shaft C in surrounding relation to the fixed shaft B, carrying plate-like members D with which members of the cage A are associated for rotation with the hollow shaft C; a drive shaft E rotated as by means of a drive pulley F; a coupling G connecting the drive shaft E with the hollow shaft C; a support H for the fixed rod or shaft B; a bearing I for the drive shaft E; and a traverse guide J for the thread which is to be Wound onto the cage in cakes K such as indicated by the dot and dash lines at the left-hand end of Figure 1 and in section in Figures "I to 12 inclusive.

The cage A is of cylindrical form and the bars I3 thereof are arranged in spaced radial relation as viewed in cross-section in Figures 3 and 4. The bars are arranged in two sets which in Figure 3 appear as an inner set I4 and an outer set I5 With the bars of one set alternating with the bars of the other set. The bars of each set are divided into a plurality of sections I6, in this instance, each comprising five bars connected together in spaced relation by transverse arcuate members I1 located at spaced intervals along the length of the bars. In both the inner set I4 and the outer set I5 six sections I6 are employed and these sections are connected together in pairs by means of transverse arcuate members IB to which the two sections of a pair are secured as by means of screws I9. It will thus be seen that the outer and inner sets are each composed of three units having ten bars each which may be moved in and out and back and forth in unison, as will hereinafter appear, it being noted that the bars which constitute the inner and outer sets in Figures 2, 7 and 8, for example, become the outer and inner sets respectively asin Figures 9 and 10, and that both become outer sets as in Figures 11 and 12 the cage progresses in its cycle of operation.

A longitudinally extending guide bar 20 is secured to the arcuate members I8 of each unit and these guide bars t radially extending slots 2I provided in the plate-like members D at equally spaced points around the edge portions thereof. The bars 2U are guided in these slots for movement back and forth lengthwise of the cage and also for in and out radial movement.

By referring to Figure 3 it will be seen that the guide bars of the three units comprising the outer set of bars I5 above referred to have been moved outwardly in the slots 2| and that the guide bars of the units comprising the inner set of bars I4 have been moved inwardly in the slots. The mechanism for accomplishing this in and out movement of the units will now be described.

A pair of longitudinally extending rock shafts 22 and 23 are located one to each side of the axis of the cage and are operatively connected with the bar units by means of rocker discs 24 and links 2 5. As viewed in Figures 3 and 4 the righthand rock shaft 22 is connected to the three bar units of the inner set of bars i4 and the left- -hand rock shaft 23 is connected to the three bar units of the outer set of bars I5. It is to be noted that the links 25 are disposed and connected to the rocking discs 24 at such points that when the bar units are in their outermost position the inward thrusts are directed toward the center of the rock shaft thereby preventing such thrust from rocking the rock shaft. Such thrusts tend to develop as the cylinder fills up with cakes of thread and as the treatment of the cakes is in process.

These rock shafts 22 and 23 are mounted for rocking and sliding or reciprocatory movement in the sleeve extension member 26 adjacent the right-hand end of the cage and in holes in the plate-like members D of the sleeve C. A spider member having a sleeve portion 21 and arms 28 is mounted on each of the rock shafts 22 and 23 to move with its rock shaft in its axial movement as by means of a collar 29 xed on the shaft and spring 30 adapted to hold the spider member against the collar. The rock shafts are free to rock in the sleeve portions 21.

'I'he arms 28 of the spider members extend outwardly to the guide bars 20 and t between spaced lugs 3| on the bars 20, as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 4. These lugs provide a connection between the spider members and guide bars such that axial or longitudinal back and forth movement given to the rock shafts will be transmitted to the guide bars 26 and their associated cage units. The connection is also such that the guide bars 20 are free to move in and out on the spider arms when such movement is imparted thereto by the rocking movement of the rock shafts.

The cage A is rotated by means of the drive kshaft E which is coupled to the extension member 26 of the sleeve C by the coupling G, it being noted that bearing sleeves 32 are interposed between the sleeve C and fixed shaft B and that the end of the drive shaft E at the coupling G is centered by means of an internal collar 33 and the reduced end portion 34 of the shaft B (see Figure 6). Rotative movement of the sleeve C is imparted to the cage units through the medium of the plate-like members D and the guide bars 20.

The sleeve extension member 26 above referred to is vfixed to the rotatable sleeve C to rotate therewith and is provided With a pair of opposed laterally projecting ears 35 and 36 having bearings for a pair of stub shafts 31 and 38 on which a pair of worm wheels 39 and 40 are rotatably mounted. These worm wheels mesh with a stationary worm 4I which is secured on the fixed shaft B. 'Ihus when the sleeve C with its extension member 26 is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure the Worm Wheels 39 and 40 are rotated in the direction of the arrows shown in Figure 6.

A cam 42 secured to the worm wheel 39 is provided for imparting rocking movement to the rock shaft 22 through the medium of a lateral projection 43 on the rock shaft which is held in engagement With the cam surface of the cam by means of a spring 44 attached at one end to the ear 36 and at the other end to an arm 45 projecting laterally from the rock shaft 22. In order to cause the rock shaft 22 to reciprocate back and forth in the direction of the length of the device a cam 46 is secured to the cam 42 so as clear thereof.

to rotate with the worm wheel 39. This Cam 46 75 imparts reciprocatory movement to the rock shaft 22 through the medium of a rod il mounted for reciprocation in a bearing 48 on the sleeve extension 26 and having a cam contacting roller $9 at one end. The rod 4l is secured to an arm 50 carried by the rock shaft as by means of nuts 5I. The cam roller 49 is kept in contact with the cam 46 by means of the spring 30 above referred to.

The other rock shaft 23 is oscillated and reciprocated by means of the worm wheel 40, cams 52 and 53, lateral projection 54, rod 55 and roller 56, all constructed and arranged in a manner similar to the corresponding parts just described in connection with the rock shaft 22.

Referring now particularly to Figures 'I to 12 inclusive, it is pointed out that the parts are diagrammatically shown and the position of the parts illustrated in Figure 7 corresponds to the position of the parts in Figure 2. 'Ihe dot and dash line a-a in each of these figures indicates the extreme left-hand point to which the cage units are moved and is an aid in following the various positions of the parts. It has been assumed that one full cake of thread K has been laid up on the cage and that a second cake k is in the process of being laid up. In Figure 7 the units of the set I5 are in their outermost position and the units of the set I4 in their innermost vor retracted position and, therefore, the bars of the outer set are in engagement with the thread being Wound while the bars of the inner set are Both sets of units are in their extreme right-hand position.

As the cams rotate to the position illustrated in Figure 8 there is no radial movement of either set of units, nor is there any longitudinal movement of the outer set I5, but the units of the inner set I4 are moved to the left by the cam 46, the thread still being held by the bars of the outer set while more thread is being laid up on the cake k.

Upon further rotation of the cams to the position illustrated in Figure 9, the units of the set I4 are first moved to their extreme left-hand position by the cam 46, and then they are moved radially outwardly by the cam 42 so that these units become the outer set and have their bars brought into engagement with the cakes of thread -to hold them. After the above movement of the set I4 has taken place the units of the set I5 are moved inwardly away from the cakes of thread by the cam 52 while remaining in the same longitudinal position as before. Thread is still being laid up on the cake k.

As the cams continue their rotation to the position shown in Figure 10 the units of the set I4 (now the outer set) remain in the same position as in Figure- 9, but the units of set I5 (now the inner set) are moved toward the left by the cam 53 while remaining in their inner position. Thread is still being laid up on the cake k.

In Figure 11 the cams have rotated to a position in which both sets are at their extreme lefthand and outermost position, the uni-ts of the set I4 having remained in the same position as in Figure 10, but the units of the set I 5 having been first moved to the extreme left by the camv 53 and then to their outermost position by the cam 52. Thread has now been laid up in an amount such that the cake Ic is substantially a full cake.

Upon further rotation of the cams both sets of units, which are now in engagement with the cakes of thread, are moved to the right by the cams 53 and 46 while being retained in the outermost positions by the cams 52 and 42 and as this takes place the cake of thread K and the newly formed cake Ic are moved to the right and a new cake lc is started in formation.

As the cams continue in their rotation the above cycle is repeated until the cage is filled up with longitudinally spaced cakes of thread. The provision of such spaced apart cakes of threads enables the thread to be very effectively treated byv various chemicals and washes arranged at spaced points longitudinally of the cage.

Using the cupro-ammonium process as an illustration, the cakes as they are advanced would first meet an acid wash or washes for the removal of copper, etc., in the form of soluble salts; and then a water wash or washes for removing the soluble salt and acid; after which the cakes enter a drying region where heat, preferably externally applied, as by means of hot air, dries the yarn to the desired state.

By separating the cakes, there is very little transfer of solution from cake to cake and, if desired, the drippings from each cake may be separately collected. Thus the solution Ain more concentrated form need not be diluted with that portion of the solution in less concentrated form. The chemical in solution in concentrated form can be more readily and economically recovered than when in solution in dilute form. The solution, of course, becomes more dilute toward the right end of the machine and may eventually become so dilute as to not make it worth while to attempt recovery.

By laying up the yarn in individual cakes, in the manner described, a cake remains in a given location for the period of time required to lay up -a new cake. Because of this, and because of the fact that the yarn is laid up in cakes, it is possible to effectively treat the cake with a minimum amount of treating solution, which, since it soaks through the cake, remains in contact for a relatively long period of time, within which to do its work. In thisI connection, since it is possible to lay up an enormous yardage on a machine, the machine may be operated at a speed sufficiently slow as not to throw olf solution by centrifugal force.

It will be seen from the construction and arrangement of parts employed that the machine is sturdy and is calculated to withstand, without change in diameter, the compressive forces set up by treatment including the drying, to which the cakes are subjected.

When a cake reaches the right-hand end of the machine it may be'taken off in the usual manner as by unwinding it and rewinding it on a spool as it is being unwound; or, in the case of the manufacture of rayon staple the cake may be cut into sections of theproper length as by means such as shown in my copending application, Serial No. 269,881, filed April 25, 1939.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for laying up thread in cakes comprising a rotating cage-like cylinder composed of two sets of longitudinally extending sets of bars independently of each other in directions longitudinally of said cylinder to ad- Vance-,each formed cake of thread along said cylinder in spaced apart relation.

movable bars arranged in circumferentally spaced relation, and with the bars of one se't interspersed with the bars of the other set, means for laying thread on said cylinder in cakes, means for imparting in and out movement to said two sets of bars independently of each other to alternately move them into and out of contact with the cakes of thread, to transfer the cakes of thread from one set of bars to the other and means for mparting back and forth movement to said two 2. Apparatus for laying up thread in cakes, comprising a rotating cage-like thread carrying cylinder, means for guiding thread lonto said cylinder adjacent one end thereof to form a cake, a pair of independently movable sets of longitudinally extending bars, the bars of said sets being arranged in interspersed and spaced relation to constitute said thread carrying cylindear, and means for each set adapted to impart in and out and back and forth longitudinal movement thereto, said means including cams having cam surfaces so relatively disposed that there always will be at least oneof said sets in outward position, that longitudinal movement of the sets in the direction toward the thread receiving end of the cylinder is effected when they are in inward position and that longitudinal movement of the sets in the opposite direction is effected when they are both in outward position.

3. Apparatus for laying up thread in cakes comprising a rotating cage-like thread carrying cylinder; means for guiding thread onto said cylinder adjacent one end thereof to form a cake; said cylinder comprising two sets of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending bars, with the bars of one set interspersed with those of the other set; means associated with each set for imparting movement thereto in directions back and forth longitudinally of the cylinder comprising a rotatable cam, a member reciprocated by said cam, and means for connecting said member and the set of bars for reciprocation together; means associated with each set for imparting movement thereto in directions inwardly and outwardly of said cylinder, comprising a rotatable cam, a rock shaft having a member engaging said cam to effect rocking movement of the rock shaft, means connecting said rock shaft to the set of bars to move it inwardly and outwardly; and worm gear means for rotating said cams. v

4. Apparatus for laying up thread in cakes, comprising a horizontally mounted rotary cagelike thread carrying cylinder; means for guiding thread onto said cylinder adjacent one end thereof to form a cake; a pair of independently movable sets of longitudinally extending bars, the bars of said sets being arranged in interspersed Aand spaced relation to constitute said thread carrying cylinder; cam mechanism for each set adapted to impart in and out and back and forth longitudinal movement thereto, the cam mechanism for each set comprising a rotatable cam adapted to impart said in and out movement, a rotatable cam adapted to impart said back and lforth movement, a rock shaft having a member contacting the cam surface of said first mentioned cam whereby said shaft is rocked as the cam rotates, a reciprocable bar having a member contacting the cam surface of said second mentioned cam whereby said bar is reciprocated as said cam rotates, means connecting said rock shaft to one set of -bars to impart in and out movement thereto as said shaft rocks, means connecting said reciprocating bar to said set of bars to impart back and forth movement thereto as said bar reciprocates'and means for eiecting rotation of said cams; the cam mechanisms of said two sets of bars being so relatively set that during one revolution of the cams one of the sets moves in while the other is out, then longitudinally tov the left while the other remains out, then out and remains out as the other moves in, toward the left and out, and finally both sets while out move to the right to shift the cakes of thread.

5. Apparatus for laying up thread in cakes comprising a rotating cage-like thread carrying cylinder; means for guiding thread onto said cylinder adjacent one end thereof to form a cake; said cylinder comprising two sets of circularly arranged spaced longitudinally extending bars, the bars of said sets being 'in spaced interspersed relation; means connecting the bars of each set into a plurality of groups; a radially disposed longitudinally extending guide bar connected to each group; support means for said sets of bars having a plurality of radial slots, one for receiving each of said guide bars with freedom for back and forth longitudinal movement and for in and out radial movement; means for imparting such back and forth movement and such in and out movement to the guide bars of one of said sets; and means for imparting similar movements to the guide bars of the other set independently of the first set.

6. Apparatus for laying up thread in cakes comprising a rotating cage-like thread carrying cylinder; means for guiding thread onto said cylinder adjacent one end thereof to form a cake; said cylinder comprising two sets of circularly arranged spaced longitudinally extending bars, the bars of said sets being in interspersed relation; means connecting the barsof each set into a plurality of units, each unit comprising a plurality of said bars, arcuate members tying the bars together and a radially disposed guide bar; supports for said units having radially disposed slots adapted to slidably receive said guide bars; a longitudinally extending shaft mounted for reciprocatory and rocking movement; means for imparting such movements to said shaft; rocking discs carried by said shaft; links connecting the guide bars of one set of units to said rocking discs for imparting in and out movement to said units; a spider member carried by said shaft having an arm extending to each of the guide bars of said units; connections between said guide bars and said arms for imparting back and forth movement to said units, said connections enabling the guide bars to move in and out radially; a similar shaft, movement impartment means, rocking discs, links, spider member, andv connections for imparting in and out and back and forth movement to the units of the other set independently of the first set.

7. Apparatus for laying up thread in cakes comprising a rotating cage-like thread carrying cylinder; means for guiding thread onto said cylinder adjacent one end thereof to form a cake; said cylinder comprising two sets of circularly arranged spaced longitudinally extending bars, the bars of said sets being in spaced interspersed relation; means connecting the bars of each set into a plurality of units, each unit comprising a plurality of said bars; arcuate members tying the bars together and a radially disposed guide bar; supports for said units having radially disposed slots adapted to slidably receive said guide bars; a longitudinally extending shaft mounted for reciprocatory and rocking movement; means for imparting such movements to said shaft; rocking discs carried by said shaft; links connecting the guide bars of one set of units to said rocking discs for imparting in and out movement to said units, said links being so disposed that inward thrust on the units are directed toward the center of said shaft; a spider member carried by said shaft having an arm extending to each of the guide bars of said units; connections between said 'guide bars and said arms for imparting back and forth movement to said units, said connections enabling the guide bars to move in and out radially; a similar shaft, movement impartment means, rocking discs, links, spider member, and connections for lmparting in and out and back and forth movement to the units of the other set independently of the iirst set.

8. Apparatus for laying up thread in cakes comprising a rotating cage-like thread carrying cylinder comprising two sets of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending movable bars, means for rotating said cylinder, means for imparting movement to one of said sets of bars in repeated cycles of first inwardly, then longitudinally in one direction, then outwardly, and then longitudinally in the opposite direction, means for imparting movement to the other set of bars in like cycles independently of the first set, and reciprocating guide means for continuously laying up thread on said cylinder in cakes the Width of which is determined by the stroke of said guide means and the thickness of which is determined by the speed of rotation of the cylinder and the interval of time consumed by one of the aforesaid cycles.

9. Apparatus for laying up thread comprising a rotating cage-like thread carrying cylinder; means for guiding thread onto said cylinder adjacent one end thereof; said cylinder comprising two sets of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending bars, with the bars of one set interspersed with those of the other set; means associated with each set for imparting movementthereto in directions back and forth longitudinally of the cylinder comprising a rotatable cam, a member reeiprocated by said cam, and means for connecting said member and the set of bars for reciprocation together; means associated with each set for imparting movement thereto in directions inwardly and outwardly of said cylinder, comprising a rotatable cam and linkage operable by said cam and connected to the set of bars: a support for said cams rotatable with the cylinder, and means for rotating said cams.

10. Apparatus for laying up thread comprising a rotating cage-like thread carrying cylinder; means for guiding thread onto said cylinder adjacent one end thereof; said cylinder comprising two sets of circularly arranged spaced longitudinally extending bars, the bars of said sets being in spaced interspersed relation, means connecting the bars of each set into a plurality of groups; means supporting the groups of each set; thereto in directions back and forth longitudinalmovement and in and out radial movement to the groups of bars constituting one set, and means for imparting similar movement to the groups of bars constituting the other set independently of said first set.

11. Apparatus for laying up thread, comprising a rotating cage-like thread carrying cylinder; means for guiding thread onto said cylinder adjacent one end thereof; said cylinder comprising two sets of circularly arranged spaced longitudinally extending bars, the bars of said sets being in interspersed relation; means connecting the bars of each set into a plurality of units, each unit comprising a plurality of said bars, arcuate members tying the bars together, radially disposedl members carried by said arcuate members, supports receiving said radial members, means for imparting back and forth longitudinal movement and in and out movement to the bar units of one set, and means for imparting similar movements to the bar units of the other set independently of the ilrst set.

12. Thread handling apparatus comprising a rotating cage-like thread carrying cylinder composed of two sets of concentrically arranged longitudinally extending bars, the bars of one set being interspersed with the bars of the other set; means connecting the bars of each set into a plurality of units each comprising a plurality of bars; means connected to each unit of one set for simultaneously imparting like back and forth longitudinal movement and like in and out radial movement to said units of said set; and means connected to each unit of the other set for simultaneously imparting like back and forth longitudinal movement and like in and out radial movement to said units of said other set independently of said first set. y

13. Thread handling apparatus comprising a rotating cage-like thread carrying cylinder composed of two sets of concentrically arranged longitudinally extending bars, the bars of one set being interspersed with the bars of the other set; means connecting the bars of each set into a plurality of units, each unit comprising a plurality of said bars and arcuate members tying the bars together; means connected to the larcuate members of each unit of one set for simultane- 4 ously imparting like back and forth longitudinal movement and like in and out radial movement to said units of said set; and means connected to the arcuate members of each unit of the other set for simultaneously imparting like back and forth longitudinal movement and like in and out radial movement to said units of said other setindependently of said first set.

14. Apparatus for laying up thread in the form of cylindrical cakes in longitudinally spaced apart relation. said apparatus comprising two sets of bars concentrically arranged in the form of a cage-like cylinder; drive means for rotating said cylinder; a plurality of rotatable cams for imparting longitudinally reciprocating movement and radial in and out movement to said two sets of bars independently of each other; means for rotating said cams; a reciprocating thread guide for laying up thread on said cylinder in cakes of predetermined Width; said cams being so relatively conilgured and being rotated at such speed with respect to the speed of rotation of the cylinder that movement is imparted to the bars to shift each cake along the cylinder, after being laid up to a predetermined thickness, in step by step movement, the amplitude of each step being greater than the width of a cake.

WILLIAM H. FURNESS Patent No. 2,2LI7,125.'

CERTIFICATE oF CORRECTION.

I June 2h, l9l4.1.

WILLIAM H. FURNESS.

It is hereby certified that error. 'appears in the Iorinted specification of the above nm'nbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, first Column, line 66, claim l, for "circumferentally" read -Circumferentia11y; 4and second column, line l2l5, claim?, forY "cylindear" read -cy1ix1der; page'LL, second column, -line 6l, claimlO,'strike out the words and syllable thereto in directions beck end forth Vlongitudinal-J and insert instead --mesns for imparting back and' forth longitudinl and thatthe said Letters Pad-.entA should be read with this `correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent -0ffice.

signed and sealed this 29th day of July, A. D. 19m.

. v Henry Van Arsdale,

(Seal) Acting Comissioner of Patents. 

